Strawberry Cheesecake

This is a recipe I've made for my husband's anniversary and since then I make it as often as I can. It was a real success. I wanted to create a three colored layers cheesecake and came out with this idea of strawberry cheesecake with chocolate crust.

The crust is made by making a chocolate biscuit dough, but if you don't have patience for this just use your favorite chocolate biscuits, like Oreo.

The strawberries on top worked just perfect. You won't regret trying this strawberry cheesecake recipe! That's for sure. Kids will love it too.

Prep time

20 mins

Cook time

50 mins

Total time

1 hr 10 mins

Ingredients

Makes about 8-10 servings

Crust

150 g butter

2 tbsp sugar

1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional)

1/4 tsp baking powder

1 tbsp cocoa powder

11 tbsp flour

Filling

500 g cream cheese or fresh ricotta cheese

200 g sour cream

Finely grated zest of 1 lemon

5 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp honey

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 1/2 tbsp corn starch (optional)

Garnish

sliced fresh strawberries

Directions

Preheat oven to 150C (300 F).

For the crust mix all ingredients in a food processor until crumbs are formed. Press the crumbs into bottom of a 10-inch (26 cm) springform pan (with a removable base) so that they stick together but not so much that it'll lose its crumby texture.

For the cheese filling beat cheese, sour cream, cornstarch, vanilla extract, honey and sugar in a food processor until well blended. Start adding the eggs one at a time until each egg is absorbed. Pour the filling over the prepared crust.

Bake for 40-50 minutes until the cheesecake is set. Run a sharp knife completely around the inside edge of the pan. Let it cool completely at room temperature. You can serve or refrigerate overnight.

To serve, remove sides of the pan. Garnish with strawberry slices,mint leaves and strawberry topping.